[ThisIsAnOutrage]

I won't leap to the conclusion that this an old boys club issue. Ottawa did acquire him, put him on the top line, and offer a "substantial raise." Seems like they value Duclair and wanted to keep him around. And I am almost certain Ottawa brass knew he was black the whole time. I mean, it is Ottawa we're talking about here.

I think this one comes down to good, old fashioned money. Looking at Duclair's career stats, there's a case to be to be made that he's pretty good, but also that he's not that great, depending on where/when/with whom he plays:

Career shooting% is 12.9. Was 12.5 with Ott. last season. and 20! in 21 games with Ott in 18/19.

11.96 with Columbus in 53 games with CB in 18/19


Just 6.9 in Chi. in 17-18

13.24, (another off-year) 6.58, and 19.05 with AZ in 17/18 going back to 15/16

So he has good years and bad. If he is getting time on the top line in Ott, despite the great shooting% he didn't really put up top line points: 23g, 17a, 40 pts in 66 games. Could be he wanted to get paid like a top-line player, but Ottawa felt his ask was an overpayment. Players and organizations have parted ways for these reasons before. Seems even more likely if the negotiations got heated.


Edit: Saw this on NHL.com: of Duclari's 23 goals only two were in the last 29 games. Maybe he was on a hot streak earlier?


I don't know how long Duclair has been representing himself, but seeing as he's been on five teams already, it could be that he is just bad at managing his career and puts teams off. Wouldn't be the first player to do that either.

That said, with the talent he has, I expect he will land somewhere. Maybe even in Seattle eventually.




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